On March 27th 2010, Caterham organised their first event for people in their cars and Silverstone was chosen as the venue. The Championship ahead of us was already creating much excitement amonst us participants but to have our first 'event' at the Home of British Motorsport added a further touch of racing glamour.
Until we arrived and realised it was the car-park outside the main entrance. And our 'circuit' was a set of cones in the aforementioned car-park. Oh the anti-climax.
However, this was billed as a serious event from the moment the 'Final Instructions' were sent through. As a test to our reading enthusiasm (and ability) the instructions insisted a tube of toothpaste be brought. Cue the 50% of people who brought their favourite gnasher-whitening grout lending it to the other 50% who had either forgotten/ignored/hadn't read the instructions (in my defence, I hadn't been sent them - the fact I got an apology for this but still presented a brand new tube of minty freshness, was missed by the organising team...).
First up, a Le Mans-style start that finished when you flashed you headlights... It takes a good two minutes to get into the car and entangle yourself withing the eight required straps. Having a HANs Device adds a bit to the time needed...
Then we had practice starts, mini-slaloms and mock-scutineering (where everything required for racing was checked from your overalls to the boot floor being sealed).
Then after a good (provided) lunch, we had a couple of runs at a big slalom against the clock. Rules were checked, re-verified and triple-confirmed... On my second run, I put in a competitive time (would have been good enough for second) only for it to be ruled out for not stopping between a set of cones we'd specifically been told wasn't necessary...! I'm still a bit bitter about this but what can you do...
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